Method and apparatus for improved wound healing

ABSTRACT

A pad for electrically stimulated wound healing, including a pad configured to be placed on a wound, at least one anode disposed on the pad to contact the wound, and at least one cathode disposed on the pad to contact the wound, the at least one cathode being disposed separately from the at least on anode. The pad wherein the at least one anode and the at least one cathode in contact with the wound provide a flow of electrical current in an intended direction through the wound based on the separate locations of the at least one anode and the at least one cathode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on, and claims the benefit of priority to,provisional application No. 62/093,143, entitled BANDAGE FOR IMPROVEDWOUND HEALING and filed Dec. 17, 2014, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventor, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Care for abrasive skin wounds, skin biopsy sites, and the like typicallyincludes washing the area with peroxide, applying an antibioticointment, and covering with a bandage. The bandage can be an adhesivebandage such as a BAND-AID brand bandage with two adhesive portionsseparated by a gauze portion. Another method of care can involve theapplication of an electrical current to a skin wound.

It is known that the application of an electrical current to a skinwound can improve healing of the wound. However, the application of anelectrical current to the skin can involve the use of a battery andconnecting wires. Utilizing a battery and connecting wires can becumbersome when treating a wound, especially for patients such asambulatory patients.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary aspect, a pad for electrically stimulated wound healing,including a pad configured to be placed on a wound, at least one anodedisposed on the pad to contact the wound, and at least one cathodedisposed on the pad to contact the wound, the at least one cathode beingdisposed separately from the at least one anode. The pad wherein the atleast one anode and the at least one cathode in contact with the woundprovide a flow of electrical current in an intended direction throughthe wound based on the separate locations of the at least one anode andthe at least one cathode.

The foregoing general description of exemplary implementations and thefollowing detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspects ofthe teachings of this disclosure and are not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a pad including ointments,according to certain aspects;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a pad including metallic wires,according to certain aspects;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of an adhesive bandage includingointments, according to certain aspects; and

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of an adhesive bandage includingmetallic wires, according to certain aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical orcorresponding parts throughout the several views. Further, as usedherein, the words “a,” “an,” and “the” generally carry a meaning of “oneor more” or “at least one,” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, theterms “approximately,” approximate,” “about,” and similar termsgenerally refer to ranges that include the identified value within amargin of 20%, 10%, or preferably 5%, and any values therebetween.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a pad including ointments 100,according to certain aspects. The pad including ointments 100 includes apad 102, an anode 104 and a cathode 106. The pad 102 can include one ormore anodes 104 and one or more cathodes 106 located at the pad 102. Thepad 102 can be placed at a wound to cover a skin wound, a skin biopsyand the like. The pad 102 can include gauze, mesh, sponge, loose fabric,and any combination of surgical dressings that is known. In certainaspects of the present disclosure, the pad 102 consists of loosely wovencotton and is used as a medical dressing. For example, the pad 102 canbe a gauze pad. In another example, the pad 102 can be a roll of gauzewith predetermined sections of gauze, in which each section of gauzecontains one or more anodes 104 and one or more cathodes 106. The rollof gauze can include perforations to provide a visual aid for abeginning and an end of each desired section. In some aspects, the pad102 provides a dressing for the wound that does not adhere to the wounditself.

The anode 104 and the cathode 106 are located in separate locations atthe pad 102. The anode 104 can be one or more anodes 104 and can befixed in a particular location at the pad 102. The cathode 106 can beone or more cathodes 106 and can be fixed in a particular location atthe pad 102. The anode 104 and the cathode 106 can be placed in contactwith a wound to provide a flow of electrical current in an intendeddirection through the wound. The flow of electrical current can bedirected based on the fixed and separate locations of the anode 104 andthe cathode 106. The electrical current can flow between the anode 104and the cathode 106 through the wound. The flow of electrical currentthrough a wound can cause improved healing of the wound due to theapplication of electrical current to the skin of the wound. For example,the electrical stimulation of the wound, due to the flow of currentbetween the anode 104 and the cathode 106, can cause stem cells of thewound to migrate, divide more readily, and differentiate at a quickerrate to improve healing of the wound.

The anode 104 and the cathode 106 can each include metallic ions. Themetallic ions of the anode 104 are dissimilar from the metallic ions ofthe cathode 106. The anode 104 and the cathode 106 can each beseparately deposited as metallic salts in the form two or more distincttopical medications. The topical medications can include ointments,lotions, creams, gels and the like. In certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, the anode 104 and the cathode 106 are deposited in twodistinct ointments. The anode 104 can be deposited in an ointment suchas calamine lotion. The calamine lotion can include metallic ions suchas zinc oxide and iron oxide. The calamine lotion can include apredetermined quantity of zinc oxide and a predetermined quantity ofiron oxide. The cathode 106 can be deposited in an ointment such as 1%silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD). The ointments, including SSD andcalamine lotion, are utilized to promote the flow of electrical currentbetween the metallic ions as a result of the presence of electrolytes ineach ointment. Due to the electrolytes present in each of the calaminelotion and the SSD, electrical current can flow between the calaminelotion and the SSD via the wound as the calamine lotion and the SSD arelocated in distinct locations from one another, separated by anintermediary layer of the pad 302.

The anode 104 and the cathode 106 can be deposited via distinctointments in the pad 102, on the pad 102, or both. The distinctointments can be deposited at the pad 102 in locations that are random,symmetric patterns, asymmetric patterns, and the like. For example, theanode 104 can be deposited as a first ointment at the pad 102 in acircular pattern. The cathode 106 can be deposited as a second ointmentat the pad in a circular pattern within the inner boundaries of theanode 104. The first ointment and the second ointment can be separatedby a circular pattern of pad 102 so that the first ointment and thesecond ointment are detached from each other. In another example, theanode 104 can be deposited as a first ointment in a line at a first endof the pad 102. The cathode can be deposited as a second ointment in aline at a second end of the pad 102 opposite the first end. The flow ofelectrical current is then provided when the first ointment and thesecond ointment come in contact with the wound.

The electrical current can flow between the first ointment and thesecond ointment via the wound exudate. In some aspects, the electricalcurrent can flow between the first ointment and the second ointment viaa metallic wire connecting the first ointment to the second ointment. Inother aspects, the electrical current can flow between the firstointment and the second ointment via the first ointment contacting thesecond ointment. The electrolytes of the first ointment, theelectrolytes of the second ointment, the anode 104 of the firstointment, the cathode 106 of the second ointment, and the wound, enableelectrical current to flow through the wound, in an intended directionthrough the wound, between the anode 104 and the cathode 106.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a pad including metallic wires200, according to certain aspects. The pad including metallic wires 200includes a pad 202, an anode 204 and a cathode 206. The pad 202 caninclude one or more anodes 204 and one or more cathodes 206 located atthe pad 102. The pad 202 can be placed at a wound to cover a skin wound,a skin biopsy and the like. The pad 202 can include gauze, mesh, sponge,loose fabric, and any combination of surgical dressings that is known.In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the pad 202 consists ofloosely woven cotton and is used as a medical dressing. For example, thepad 202 can be a gauze pad. In another example, the pad 202 can be aroll of gauze with predetermined sections of gauze, in which eachsection of gauze contains one or more anodes 204 and one or morecathodes 206. The roll of gauze can include perforations to provide avisual aid for a beginning and an end of each desired section. In someaspects, the pad 202 provides a dressing for the wound that does notadhere to the wound itself.

The anode 204 and the cathode 206 are located in separate locations atthe pad 202. The anode 204 can be one or more anodes 206 and can befixed in a particular location at the pad 202. The cathode 106 can beone or more cathodes 106 and can be fixed in a particular location atthe pad 202. The anode 204 and the cathode 206 can be placed in contactwith a wound to provide a flow of electrical current in an intendeddirection through the wound. The flow of electrical current can bedirected based on the fixed and separate locations of the anode 204 andthe cathode 206. The electrical current can flow between the anode 204and the cathode 206 through the wound. The flow of electrical currentthrough a wound can cause improved healing of the wound due to theapplication of electrical current to the skin of the wound. For example,the electrical stimulation of the wound, due to the flow of currentbetween the anode 204 and the cathode 206, can cause stem cells of thewound to migrate, divide more readily, and differentiate at a quickerrate to improve healing of the wound.

The anode 204 and the cathode 206 can each include metallic material.The metallic material of the anode 204 is dissimilar from the metallicmaterial of the cathode 206. The anode 204 and the cathode 206 can eachbe separately contained in two or more distinct types of metallic wires.In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the anode 204 and thecathode 206 are woven into the pad 202 via two distinct types ofmetallic wires that are separated by an intermediary layer of the pad202. The wound can connect the two distinct types of metallic wires viafluids exuding from the surface of the wound. The fluids exuding fromthe surface of the wound can complete the circuit between the twodistinct types of metallic wires and provide a flow of electricalcurrent between the first type of metallic wire(s) containing theanode(s) 204 and the second type of metallic wire(s) containing thecathode(s) 206.

The two types of distinct metallic wires can be woven into the pad 202in locations that are random, symmetric patterns, asymmetric patterns,and the like. For example, the anode 204 can be provided as a first typeof metallic wires at the pad 202 in a circular pattern. The cathode 206can be provided as a second type of metallic wires at the pad 202 in acircular pattern within the inner boundaries of the anode 204. Eachmetallic wire of the first type of metallic wires can be separated fromone another by portions of the pad 202. As such, each first type ofmetallic wire is fixed at a distinct location from the other first typeof metallic wires. Each metallic wire of the second type of metallicwires can be separated from one another by portions of the pad 202. Assuch, each second type of metallic wire is fixed at a distinct locationfrom the other second type of metallic wires. Additionally, the firsttype of metallic wires does not contact the second type of metallicwires directly.

In another example, the anode 204 can be provided as a first type ofmetallic wires in a line along a length of a first end of the pad 202.The cathode 206 can be provided as a second type of metallic wires in aline along a length of a second end of the pad 202 that is opposite thefirst end. Each metallic wire of the first type of metallic wires can beseparated from one another by portions of the pad 202. As such, eachfirst type of metallic wire is fixed at a distinct location from theother first type of metallic wires. Each metallic wire of the secondtype of metallic wires can be separated from one another by portions ofthe pad 202. As such, each second type of metallic wire is fixed at adistinct location from the other second type of metallic wires. The lineof the first type of metallic wires is separated from the line of thesecond type of metallic wires by a portion of the pad 102. The flow ofelectrical current is then provided when the first type of metallicwires and the second type of metallic wires are both in contact withfluids exuding from the wound, but not in contact with one another. Thefluids exuding from the wound, the first type of metallic wiresincluding the anode(s) 204, and the second type of metallic wiresincluding the cathode(s) 206 enable electrical current to flow throughthe wound in an intended direction through the wound between theanode(s) 204 and the cathode(s) 206.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of an adhesive bandage includingointments 300, according to certain aspects. The adhesive bandageincluding ointments 300 includes a pad 302, an anode 304, a cathode 306and an adhesive layer 308. The pad 302 can include one or more anodes304 and one or more cathodes 306 located at the pad 302. The pad 302 canbe attached to at least one adhesive layer 308. The pad 302 can beplaced at a wound to cover a skin wound, a skin biopsy and the like. Thepad 302 can utilize the adhesive layer 308 to adhere the adhesivebandage including ointments 300 to skin. The pad 302 can include gauze,mesh, sponge, loose fabric, and any combination of surgical dressingsthat is known. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the pad 302consists of loosely woven cotton and is used as a medical dressing. Forexample, the pad 302 can be a gauze pad. In another example, the pad 302can be a roll of gauze with predetermined sections of gauze, in whicheach section of gauze contains one or more anodes 304 and one or morecathodes 306. The roll of gauze can include perforations to provide avisual aid for the beginning and end of each desired section. The pad302 provides a dressing for the wound and is in direct contact with thewound.

The anode 304 and the cathode 306 are located in separate locations atthe pad 302 of the adhesive bandage including ointments 300. The anode304 can be one or more anodes 304 and can be fixed in a particularlocation at the pad 302. The cathode 306 can be one or more cathodes 306and can be fixed in a particular location at the pad 302. The anode 304and the cathode 306 can be placed in contact with a wound to provide aflow of electrical current in an intended direction through the wound.The flow of electrical current can be directed based on the fixed andseparate locations of the anode 304 and the cathode 306. The electricalcurrent can flow between the anode 304 and the cathode 306 through thewound. The flow of electrical current through a wound can cause improvedhealing of the wound due to the application of electrical current to theskin of the wound. For example, the electrical stimulation of the wound,due to the flow of current between the anode 304 and the cathode 306,can cause stem cells of the wound to migrate, divide more readily, anddifferentiate at a quicker rate to improve healing of the wound.

The anode 304 and the cathode 306 can each include metallic ions. Themetallic ions of the anode 304 are dissimilar from the metallic ions ofthe cathode 306. The anode 304 and the cathode 306 can each beseparately deposited as metallic salts in the form of two or moredistinct topical medications. The topical medications can includeointments, lotions, creams, gels and the like. In certain aspects of thepresent disclosure, the anode 304 and the cathode 306 are deposited intwo distinct ointments. The anode 304 can be deposited in an ointmentsuch as calamine lotion. The calamine lotion can include metallic ionssuch as zinc oxide and iron oxide. The calamine lotion can include apredetermined quantity of zinc oxide and a predetermined quantity ofiron oxide. The cathode 306 can be deposited in an ointment such as 1%silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD). The ointments, including SSD andcalamine lotion, promote the flow of electrical current between themetallic ions utilizing the presence of electrolytes in each ointment.Due to the electrolytes present in each of the calamine lotion and theSSD, electrical current can flow between the calamine lotion and the SSDvia the wound as the calamine lotion and the SSD are located in distinctlocations from one another, separated by an intermediary layer of thepad 302.

The anode 304 and the cathode 306 can be deposited via distinctointments in the pad 302, on the pad 302, or both. The distinctointments can be deposited at the pad 302 of the adhesive bandageincluding ointments 300 in locations that are random, symmetricpatterns, asymmetric patterns, and the like. For example, the anode 304can be deposited as a first ointment at the pad 302 in a circularpattern. The cathode 306 can be deposited as a second ointment at thepad 302 in a circular pattern within the inner boundaries of the anode304. The first ointment and the second ointment can be separated by acircular pattern of pad 302 so that the first ointment is detached fromthe second ointment. In another example, the anode 304 can be depositedas a first ointment in a line at a first end of the pad 302. The cathodecan be deposited as a second ointment in a line at a second end of thepad 302 opposite the first end. The flow of electrical current is thenprovided when the first ointment and the second ointment come in contactwith the wound.

The electrical current can flow between the first ointment and thesecond ointment via the wound exudate. In some aspects, the electricalcurrent can flow between the first ointment and the second ointment viaa metallic wire connecting the first ointment to the second ointment. Inother aspects, the electrical current can flow between the firstointment and the second ointment via the first ointment contacting thesecond ointment. The electrolytes of the first ointment, theelectrolytes of the second ointment, the anode 304 of the firstointment, the cathode 306 of the second ointment, and the wound, enableelectrical current to flow through the wound, in an intended directionthrough the wound, between the anode 304 and the cathode 306.

The adhesive layer 308 is attached to the pad 302 and can adhere theadhesive bandage including ointments 300 to skin. The adhesive layer 308can include a sheet and an adhesive. In some aspects, the adhesive ofthe adhesive layer 308 is located on one side of the sheet. In otheraspects, the adhesive is located on both sides of the sheet. Theadhesive can include materials such as acrylate and the like. The sheetcan include woven fabric, plastic, a latex strip and the like.Additionally, the adhesive layer 308 can include a removable coveringfor the side(s) of the adhesive layer 308 that include adhesive. Theremovable covering can include coated paper, plastic and the like.

In certain aspects of the present disclosure, more than one adhesivelayer 308 is attached to the pad 302. For example, a first adhesivelayer 308 can attach to a first end of the pad 302 and a second adhesivelayer 308 can attach to a second end of the pad 302 opposite the firstend. More than one adhesive layer 308 can be utilized to promote theadhering stability of the adhesive bandage including ointments 300 toskin.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of an adhesive bandage includingmetallic wires 400, according to certain aspects. The adhesive bandageincluding metallic wires 400 includes a pad 402, an anode 404, a cathode406 and an adhesive layer 408. The pad 402 can include one or moreanodes 404 and one or more cathodes 406 located at the pad 402. The pad402 can be attached to at least one adhesive layer 408. The pad 402 canbe placed at a wound to cover a skin wound, a skin biopsy and the like.The pad 402 can utilize the adhesive layer 408 to adhere the adhesivebandage including metal wires 400 to skin. The pad 402 can includegauze, mesh, sponge, loose fabric, and any combination of surgicaldressings that is known. In certain aspects of the present disclosure,the pad 402 consists of loosely woven cotton and is used as a medicaldressing. For example, the pad 402 can be a gauze pad. In anotherexample, the pad 402 can be a roll of gauze with predetermined sectionsof gauze, in which each section of gauze contains one or more anodes 404and one or more cathodes 406. The roll of gauze can include perforationsto provide a visual aid for a beginning and an end of each desiredsection. The pad 402 provides a dressing for the wound and is in directcontact with the wound.

The anode 404 and the cathode 406 are located in separate locations atthe pad 402 of the adhesive bandage including metallic wires 400. Theanode 404 can be one or more anodes 404 and can be fixed in a particularlocation at the pad 402. The cathode 406 can be one or more cathodes 406and can be fixed in a particular location at the pad 402. The anode 404and the cathode 406 can be placed in contact with a wound to provide aflow of electrical current in an intended direction through the wound.The flow of electrical current can be directed based on the fixed andseparate locations of the anode 404 and the cathode 406. The electricalcurrent can flow between the anode 404 and the cathode 406 through thewound. The flow of electrical current through a wound can cause improvedhealing of the wound due to the application of electrical current to theskin of the wound. For example, the electrical stimulation of the wound,due to the flow of current between the anode 404 and the cathode 406,can cause stem cells of the wound to migrate, divide more readily, anddifferentiate at a quicker rate to improve healing of the wound.

The anode 204 and the cathode 206 can each include metallic material.The metallic material of the anode 204 is dissimilar from the metallicmaterial of the cathode 206. In certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, the anode 404 and the cathode 406 are woven into the pad 402via two distinct types of metallic wires that are separated by anintermediary layer of the pad 402. The wound can connect the twodistinct types of metallic wires via fluids exuding from the surface ofthe wound. The fluids exuding from the surface of the wound can completethe circuit between the two distinct types of metallic wires and providea flow of electrical current between the first type of metallic wire(s)containing the anode(s) 404 and the second type of metallic wire(s)containing the cathode(s) 406.

The two types of distinct metallic wires can be woven into the pad 402in locations that are random, symmetric patterns, asymmetric patterns,and the like. For example, the anode 404 can be provided as a first typeof metallic wires at the pad 402 in a circular pattern. The cathode 406can be provided as a second type of metallic wires at the pad 402 in acircular pattern within the inner boundaries of the anode 404. Eachmetallic wire of the first type of metallic wires can be separated fromone another by portions of the pad 402. As such, each first type ofmetallic wire is fixed at a distinct location from the other first typeof metallic wires. Each metallic wire of the second type of metallicwires can be separated from one another by portions of the pad 402. Assuch, each second type of metallic wire is fixed at a distinct locationfrom the other second type of metallic wires. Additionally, the firsttype of metallic wires does not contact the second type of metallicwires directly.

In another example, the anode 404 can be provided as a first type ofmetallic wires in a line along a length of a first end of the pad 402.The cathode 406 can be provided as a second type of metallic wires in aline along a length of a second end of the pad 402 opposite the firstend. Each metallic wire of the first type of metallic wires can beseparated from one another by portions of the pad 402. As such, eachfirst type of metallic wire is fixed at a distinct location from theother first type of metallic wires. Each metallic wire of the secondtype of metallic wires can be separated from one another by portions ofthe pad 402. As such, each second type of metallic wire is fixed at adistinct location from the other second type of metallic wires. The lineof the first type of metallic wires is separated from the line of thesecond type of metallic wires by a portion of the pad 402. The flow ofelectrical current is then provided when the first type of metallicwires and the second type of metallic wires are both in contact withfluids exuding from the wound, but not in contact with one another. Thefluids exuding from the wound, the first type of metallic wiresincluding the anode(s) 404, and the second type of metallic wiresincluding the cathode(s) 406 enable electrical current to flow throughthe wound in an intended direction through the wound between theanode(s) 404 and the cathode(s) 406.

The adhesive layer 408 is attached to the pad 402 and can adhere theadhesive bandage including metallic wires 400 to skin. The adhesivelayer 408 can include a sheet and an adhesive. In some aspects, theadhesive of the adhesive layer 408 is located on one side of the sheet.In other aspects, the adhesive is located on both sides of the sheet.The adhesive can include materials such as acrylate and the like. Thesheet can include woven fabric, plastic, a latex strip and the like.Additionally, the adhesive layer 408 can include a removable coveringfor the side(s) of the adhesive layer 408 that include adhesive. Theremovable covering can include coated paper, plastic and the like.

In certain aspects of the present disclosure, more than one adhesivelayer 408 is attached to the pad 402. For example, a first adhesivelayer can attach to a first end of the pad 402 and a second adhesivelayer can attach to a second end of the pad 402 opposite the first end.More than one adhesive layer 408 can be utilized to promote the adheringstability of the adhesive bandage including metallic wires 400 to skin.

The pad 102 including one or more anodes 104 and one or more cathodes106, applies an electrical current to a wound to improve the healing ofthe wound. The pad 102 can include an adhesive layer 302 so that the padcan be applied to the wound as an adhesive bandage 300. The pad 102provides the benefits of electrical stimulation without theinconvenience of batteries and connecting wires. As such, the pad 102negates the inconvenience of batteries and connecting wires which hasprecluded the utilization of wound healing through electricalstimulation. In utilizing the properties of dissimilar metallic ions, aswell as properties of the wound itself, the pad 102 provides improvedwound healing to treat skin wounds, skin biopsy sites and the like.

The components described can interchangeably be substituted, but are notlimited to, the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. As such,the pad 102 can interchangeably be the pad 202, the pad 302 and/or thepad 402. The anode 104 can interchangeably be the anode 204, the anode304 and/or the anode 404. The cathode 106 can interchangeably be thecathode 206, 306 and/or the cathode 406. The adhesive layer 308 caninterchangeably be the adhesive layer 408.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example,preferable results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosedtechniques were performed in a different sequence, if components in thedisclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if thecomponents were replaced or supplemented by other components.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope that may beclaimed.

The above disclosure also encompasses the aspects listed below.

(1) A pad for electrically stimulated wound healing, including: a padconfigured to be placed on a wound; at least one anode disposed on thepad to contact the wound; and at least one cathode disposed on the padto contact the wound, the at least one cathode being disposed separatelyfrom the at least on anode, wherein the at least one anode and the atleast one cathode in contact with the wound provide a flow of electricalcurrent in an intended direction through the wound based on the separatelocations of the at least one anode and the at least one cathode.

(2) The pad for electrically stimulated wound healing according to (1),wherein the pad includes at least one of a gauze pad and a gauze roll.

(3) The pad for electrically stimulated wound healing according toeither (1) or (2), wherein the at least one anode and the at least onecathode are separately deposited in two or more distinct ointments.

(4) The pad for electrically stimulated wound healing according to anyone of (1) to (3), wherein the two or more ointments include silversulfadiazine cream and calamine lotion.

(5) The pad for electrically stimulated wound healing according to anyone of (1) to (4), wherein the silver sulfadiazine cream includes 1%silver sulfadiazine cream.

(6) The pad for electrically stimulated wound healing according to anyone of (1) to (5), wherein the calamine lotion includes a predeterminedquantity of zinc oxide and a predetermined quantity of iron oxide.

(7) The pad for electrically stimulated wound healing according to anyone of (1) to (6), wherein the at least one anode and the at least onecathode are woven into the pad via two or more distinct metallic wires.

(8) An adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healing,including: a pad configured to be placed on a wound; at least one anodedisposed on the pad to contact the wound; at least one cathode disposedon the pad to contact the wound, the at least one cathode being disposedseparately from the at least on anode, wherein the at least one anodeand the at least one cathode in contact with the wound provide a flow ofelectrical current in an intended direction through the wound based onthe separate locations of the at least one anode and the at least onecathode; and at least one adhesive layer attached to the pad andconfigured to adhere to skin.

(9) The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to (8), wherein the pad includes at least one of a gauze padand a gauze roll.

(10) The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to either (8) or (9), wherein the at least one anode and theat least one cathode are separately deposited in two or more ointments.

(11) The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to any one of (8) to (10), wherein the two or more ointmentsinclude silver sulfadiazine cream and calamine lotion.

(12) The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the silver sulfadiazinecream includes 1% silver sulfadiazine cream.

(13) The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to any one of (8) to (12), wherein the calamine lotionincludes a predetermined quantity of zinc oxide and a predeterminedquantity of iron oxide.

(14) The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to any one of (8) to (13), wherein the at least one anode andthe at least one cathode are woven into the pad via two or more distinctmetallic wires.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pad for electrically stimulated woundhealing, comprising: a pad configured to be placed on a wound; at leastone anode formed of a first material and disposed on the pad to contactthe wound; and at least one cathode formed of a second material that isdifferent from the first material and disposed on the pad to contact thewound, the at least one cathode being disposed separately from the atleast one anode, wherein the at least one anode and the at least onecathode in contact with the wound provide a flow of electrical currentin an intended direction through the wound based on separate locationsof the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, and wherein theat least one anode and the at least one cathode provide a flow ofelectrical current via the exudate of the wound and without a batteryand connecting wires.
 2. The pad for electrically stimulated woundhealing according to claim 1, wherein the pad includes at least one of agauze pad and a gauze roll.
 3. The pad for electrically stimulated woundhealing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one anode and the atleast one cathode are separately deposited in two or more distinctointments.
 4. The pad for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to claim 3, wherein the two or more ointments include silversulfadiazine cream and calamine lotion.
 5. The pad for electricallystimulated wound healing according to claim 4, wherein the silversulfadiazine cream includes 1% silver sulfadiazine cream.
 6. The pad forelectrically stimulated wound healing according to claim 4, wherein thecalamine lotion includes a predetermined quantity of zinc oxide and apredetermined quantity of iron oxide.
 7. The pad for electricallystimulated wound healing according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneanode and the at least one cathode are woven into the pad via two ormore distinct metallic wires.
 8. An adhesive bandage for electricallystimulated wound healing, comprising: a pad configured to be placed on awound; at least one anode formed of a first material and disposed on thepad to contact the wound; at least one cathode formed of a secondmaterial that is different from the first material and disposed on thepad to contact the wound, the at least one cathode being disposedseparately from the at least one anode, wherein the at least one anodeand the at least one cathode in contact with the wound provide a flow ofelectrical current in an intended direction through the wound based onseparate locations of the at least one anode and the at least onecathode, at least one adhesive layer attached to the pad and configuredto adhere to skin, and the at least one anode and the at least onecathode provide a flow of electrical current via the exudate of thewound and without a battery and connecting wires.
 9. The adhesivebandage for electrically stimulated wound healing according to claim 8,wherein the pad includes at least one of a gauze pad and a gauze roll.10. The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to claim 8, wherein the at least one anode and the at leastone cathode are separately deposited in two or more distinct ointments.11. The adhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healingaccording to claim 10, wherein the two or more ointments include silversulfadiazine cream and calamine lotion.
 12. The adhesive bandage forelectrically stimulated wound healing according to claim 11, wherein thesilver sulfadiazine cream includes 1% silver sulfadiazine cream.
 13. Theadhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healing according toclaim 11, wherein the calamine lotion includes a predetermined quantityof zinc oxide and a predetermined quantity of iron oxide.
 14. Theadhesive bandage for electrically stimulated wound healing according toclaim 8, wherein the at least one anode and the at least one cathode arewoven into the pad via two or more distinct metallic wires.